Transmigrated as the Villainess, She Made the General Blush - Chapter 94

Chapter 94

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau carefully calculated that it was an auspicious day for sacrifices and prayers.

Xiao Wangshu and Tuoba Yunxiao’s Blood Exchange Brotherhood ceremony was to be held on this very day.

According to the customs of the Tuoba Tribe, this ceremony was an internal family affair, requiring only the presence of the sworn siblings’ close relatives and friends to witness the rite.

Consequently, Xiao Hong did not invite many colleagues. Aside from the Tuoba siblings, most of the guests were Xiao Clan Relatives and members of the Fang Clan.

***

Outside the ancestral hall of the Xiao Mansion.

To facilitate the ceremony, Xiao Hong had specifically ordered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and officials from the Ministry of Works to construct a new altar here, following the requirements of the Tuoba siblings and the ritual systems of the Tuoba Tribe.

Totems of the tribe were carved into the stone walls surrounding the altar, giving it an ancient and sacred appearance.

Under the expectant gazes of the many relatives below, Xiao Wangshu and Tuoba Yunxiao ascended the altar from the left and right sides respectively, standing to face one another.

Dressed in navy blue royal attire, Tuoba Yunxiao and Xiao Wangshu stood on the platform, solemn and dignified.

Influenced by their matching patterned garments, the two looked like biological siblings born of the same mother.

Tuoba Jihui walked onto the stage from behind the altar, followed by two elderly Tuoba Envoys carrying daggers and pottery bowls.

The three of them were also dressed in tribal robes as they approached the sides of Tuoba Yunxiao and Xiao Wangshu.

The two elderly envoys stepped forward to present the blades and bowls. Tuoba Jihui stood in the center of the altar, closed his eyes, and began to chant loudly.

Obscure and tongue-twisting verses flowed slowly from his mouth, the repetitive melody carrying an aura of ancient tranquility.

Below the stage, Tuoba Xin closed her eyes along with him, standing beside Xiao Pingnan and chanting softly.

Fang Qiluo watched the stage for a moment, and hearing the a cappella chant, she couldn’t help but close her eyes and hum along to the melody.

On the stage.

Bathed in Tuoba Jihui’s blessings, Xiao Wangshu and Tuoba Yunxiao exchanged a glance. They picked up the daggers one after the other, gripping the hilts with their right hands.

Then, they gripped the blades with their left hands and pulled the daggers through with a swift motion of their right hands.

Squelch-

Crimson blood gushed from their palms instantly, dripping drop by drop into the black pottery bowls.

Many of the women below found the sight hard to bear and turned their heads away.

Fang Qin’er also averted her eyes, leaning her head toward Xiao Hong.

A faint smile remained on Xiao Hong’s face as he watched the stage quietly. His eyes were deep and inscrutable; no one knew what he was thinking at this moment.

Chen Chu and Lu Xuyang stood behind him. Having fought on the battlefield for many years, Lu Xuyang was accustomed to bloodshed and death. He didn’t find the scene disturbing at all, merely watching the stage with a simple, honest grin.

As for Chen Chu, he remained silent as usual, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Wangshu’s hand.

Blood slowly filled the pottery bowls.

Not just Xiao Wangshu, but even Tuoba Yunxiao’s face turned somewhat pale. The speed of the blood flowing from their palms began to slow.

Seeing that the bowls were full, the two elderly Tuoba Envoys swapped positions, placing each person’s blood in front of the other.

The freshly drawn blood was still warm. Just by picking up the pottery bowls, the two could feel a hint of warmth in the freezing twelfth lunar month.

After another glance at each other, they raised the bowls, tilted their heads back, and closed their eyes.

The thick, warm liquid surged down their throats, and a pungent, metallic scent of iron filled their nostrils.

As a full bowl’s worth entered their stomachs, their insides immediately began to churn.

At this moment, they had to endure it. If they vomited even a little, it would be considered an ill omen.

By the time they finished exchanging blood, Tuoba Jihui had just completed his ninth chant. He slowly opened his eyes to look at them, reached out to support their arms, and led them down from the front of the altar into the midst of their relatives.

Witnessed by their kin, they became siblings of different surnames today.

From this day forward, each other’s blood flowed within them.

They were as close as biological siblings.

…

After the Blood Replacement Ceremony concluded, the Tuoba siblings began to visit the Chancellor’s Mansion even more frequently.
The gathering was held for two reasons: first, because the Tuoba Envoy was about to depart, and second, to discuss the marriage alliance between Tuoba Xin and Xiao Pingnan.

Tuoba Xin had made up her mind; she insisted on going through with the marriage. Tuoba Jihui and Tuoba Yunxiao found it impossible to dissuade her and eventually had no choice but to let her have her way.

“When we first arrived, you were dead set against this alliance. You spent ages complaining about Father. Now that you’ve met that Xiao Pingnan, you’ve suddenly decided it’s him or no one?”

Tuoba Yunxiao crossed his arms, his tone thick with exasperation. “Tuoba Xin, look at you! Have you no pride?”

“What’s wrong with having a little pride? The Capital has so much good food and so many fun things to do. If you two really miss me, you can just find time to visit when the tribe sends people to the Capital for the annual tribute, can’t you?”

Tuoba Xin had a beautiful vision of the future: she would enjoy the luxuries of the Capital while her brothers visited her every year.

This was exactly how Tuoba Kang had coaxed her into the marriage alliance in the first place.

Realizing he truly couldn’t change her mind, Tuoba Yunxiao waved a hand dismissively. “Fine, fine. You’re throwing away your chance to go home. Just don’t come crying to us in your letters when you’re mistreated later.”

They had finally found an opportunity to cancel the alliance. It was rare enough that both Father and Prime Minister Xiao were no longer forcing her to marry Xiao Pingnan, yet she was the one refusing to let go, charging headlong into it anyway.

When she suffered in the future, he wondered where she would go to cry!

“Hmph-just you wait and see, Third Elder Brother! See if I ever cry!” Tuoba Xin tilted her chin up, her eyes bright with anticipation for her future life.

At that moment, Tuoba Jihui, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up to warn her. “Little Sister, you must think this through. Men of the Central Plains often have many wives and concubines-far more than the men of our tribe.”

While men in their tribe also had concubines, most had only one wife and perhaps two concubines. Many commoners even had only one of each, or just a single wife.

Compared to men of the Central Plains, their men had relatively few concubines.

If their sister had taken a husband into their own household back home, they could have demanded that he take no concubines and remain faithful to her alone.

But this was Xiao Pingnan, the legitimate son of Prime Minister Xiao. They would have no right to interfere if he chose to take concubines.

“I know, Second Elder Brother. Don’t the men of our tribe take concubines too? Father has even more than Prime Minister Xiao!”

Tuoba Xin was currently deaf to all advice. She said longingly, “I only hope to be like Wangshu’s mother-to have Brother Pingnan care for me above all others. That would be enough.”

She didn’t dare wish for his absolute, undivided devotion; if eighty or ninety percent of his heart belonged to her, she would be satisfied.

Seeing her like this, Tuoba Yunxiao rolled up his sleeves and raised his hand, ready to give her a sharp flick on the forehead.

Tuoba Jihui reached out to stop him, sighing deeply in his heart. “Since you’re dead set on following him, I have a few final things to tell you.”

Tuoba Xin nodded vigorously. “Go ahead, Brother.”

“Do not go against Madame Xiao’s wishes. No matter how gentle or accommodating she is toward you, you must strictly follow the rules of the Xiao Mansion. Do not become arrogant just because you are favored.

“Also, never mention Xiao Pingnan’s biological mother in front of the current mistress of the Xiao Mansion. Remember that well.

“And one last thing: once you enter the Xiao Mansion, maintain a good relationship with Wangshu. She is our sworn sister. In a moment of crisis, if you need help, she will be more reliable than Xiao Pingnan.”

As long as their sister didn’t do anything unforgivable, Wangshu would likely help her if she were mistreated, if only for the sake of her sworn brotherhood with Yunxiao.

“Why can’t I mention Brother Pingnan’s birth mother? I saw that there aren’t many concubines in the Xiao Mansion’s inner court, and they all seem easy to get along with. Brother Pingnan’s mother shouldn’t be any different, so why is she a forbidden topic?”

Seeing that Tuoba Xin was about to enter the Chancellor’s Mansion while still so naive, Tuoba Jihui pressed a hand to his forehead, feeling quite helpless.

“It’s my fault. I forgot to tell you.”

He had assumed the marriage alliance would be canceled, so he hadn’t bothered to explain these details to her.